ESPN's Legler joins chorus criticizing Griffin for flopping

He is as good at flopping as he is at poster-izing opponents with highlight-reel dunks.

When asked on the show First Take about Webber's criticism of the Los Angeles Clippers forward being a habitual, compulsive flopper, Legler agreed.

"It's a shame it detracts (from Griffin's performance), but it's true," said Legler, who played 10 NBA seasons. "I'm watching the game going, 'Oh my goodness.' The head is snapping back every time he gets hit. ... The whistles blow. You're getting rewarded for it."

In his second season, Griffin is a two-time All-Star but his on-court behavior overshadowed his best game of playoffs in which he scored a game-high 30 points in a Game 4 victory vs. the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.

Webber grew fed up with Griffin flopping like a fish on a dock to draw questionable foul calls on opponents.

Griffin drew a loose ball foul on Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, who went to the bench with his fourth foul at 6:37 of the third quarter with his team trailing 57-51.

But Webber did, wondering why a player of Griffin's caliber has to resort to such tactics. The integrity of the competition, as well as a player's reputation, ultimately are compromised.

"I think Blake Griffin is really playing hard and you have to love his effort tonight, but I would caution him to be careful with flopping. I've played in these playoffs. The teams that were known for floppers do not get respect," Webber said.

"Flopping is not a plus in this game. And what do I mean by flopping ? This is what I mean. You're 270 pounds. The other guy is 300 pounds . It was not a blow to send you (to the floor). People watch tape. Coaches and GMs send tape into the league. You do not want to be known as a flopper. With him being so good he doesn't need all the extra stuff.

"Everybody sees it. And you lose respect."

New Orleans Hornets point guard Jarrett Jack took issue with Griffin's behavior on Twitter.

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins, being interviewed by TNT after the first quarter about putting his best defender Tony Allen on point guard Chris Paul, seemed dismayed by the early foul calls. Allen went to the bench at 7:03 of the third quarter with four fouls.

"Chris does a good job of flopping and drawing fouls," Hollins said.

With less than a minute left in the third quarter, Webber called out Paul for flopping on a screen by Hamed Haddadi, Gasol's replacement. A foul, however, was not called on that one.

"Chris Paul does that quite a bit. A lot of guys in the league are doing this," Legler said. "It's become such a part of the NBA and it works, and guys are getting calls. You benefit at key times in the game."

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About Reid and Mike

Reid Cherner has been with USA TODAY since 1982 and written Game On! since March 2008.

He has covered everything from high schools to horse racing to the college and the pros. The only thing he likes more than his own voice is the sound of readers telling him when he's right and wrong.

Michael Hiestand has covered sports media and marketing for USA TODAY, tackling the sports biz ranging from what's behind mega-events such as the Olympics and Super Bowl to the sometimes-hidden numbers behind the sports world's bottom line.